Improvement in tube-fastenings of condensers



.GEGRGE H. REYNoLDs.

Improvement in Tube Fasftenings of Co'nd'ensrsr.'` i

No. 116,098. Patentedlune 20,1871'.

' and tightness.

=nanos UNITED @STATES PATENT OFFICEo AGrEORGrE H. REYNOLDS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, C. H.

DELAMATER., AND A. K. RIDER, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TUBE-FASTENINGS QF CONDENSERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,098, dated June 20, 1871.

1 ful Improvements in Tube-Fastening. of Gondensers and analogous structures in which the tubes are held within packings with freedom to expand and contract by moving endwise to a limited extent.

The following is a specification.

My invention is adapted to be used with anyy ordinary tubes; but I will describe it as preferably using those manufactured by the Boston Brass-Tube Company, which are drawn from an ingot without joint or seam, and are perfectly cylindrical on their exterior surfaces. The tube-sheets are of cast-iron and of suficient thickness to maintain their positions rigidly. Around each tube is a packing of wood. The wood may be pine or other soft Woods. Ihave experimented successfully with a line-grained maple.

Vood packings have been known before; but I providepeculiar forms and constructions, and hold the work with remarkable security The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out theinvention.

The accompanying drawing forms a part of this speciiication. Figure lis a section, showing the hole intube-sheet and the tube in place without the packing. Fig. 2 is a corresponding end view. Fig. 3 is a section with the packing in place and fastened. Fig. 4 is a corresponding end view; and Fig. 5 is a view of a tube, and at a different angle, showing how the metal thereof is cut to allow it to be bent in the peculiar manner shown. y

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

The drawing shows one or more examples of each part which involves novelty. They represent, also, so much of the ordinary partsthe extent of the tube-sheet and the length of the tube, &c.-as seems necessary to giveacorrect idea of the construction.

A is the tube-sheet, and B B, &c., are the tubes. The tubes extend through larger conical holes made through the tube-sheet, which are preferably cored, both from considerations of economy and superiority in their effect. G C

are tapering thimbles of wood, cylindrical on their interior and conical on their exterior. They are driven upon the tubes and enter and iit tightly within the tapering holes in the tubesheet. The interior of the holes being rough gives greater certainty to their maintaining their places.

It is important that the tube beallowed a little longitudinal motion, yet such motion ought to be limited. If tubes are left entirely free to move endwise they are, obviously, liable to become displaced by a too great exercise of their privilege. I propose to employ my tube-fastening either at one end or at both ends of a tube, and the provision which I am now to describe for restraining end motion may be employed at either or both ends. It consists in peculiarly cutting and displacing a portion of the tube, the bent portion remaining fast to the tube at one end and being out clear at the other. The cut end is presented toward the thimble C andthe metal is displaced or bent outward from its ordinary position in the tube to a sufficient extent to cause the cut end to abut squarely against the wood ofthe thimble. It is well to so conduct the cutting that there shall be a little spacesay a sixteenth of an inch-between the cut portion of the metal, which I will designate by the letter b, and the thick end of the tapering thimble C but this is not absolutely essential. In `case no such space is left, the softness of the wood thimble allows the metal b to crush itself into the wood a little ways whenever, in consequence of a difference of expansion between the tubes B and the body of the condenser, there is a little end motion of the tube in the fastening. I make the proper cut for the bent portion of the metal by means of a pair of cutting-pliers, one jaw of which is applied upon the outside and the other upon the inside of the tube. The operation of cutting and properly bending the part b can be conducted very rapidly.

The cutting and bending of a portion ofthe metal of a tube to aid in holding the tube in position, and also to aid in keeping a wood thimble in place, have been before practiced; but I am not aware that the metal has before been cut and presented in the same manner as mine-that is to say, with the end of the cut portion abutting directly against the thimble. It

has been usual to leave the bent portion attached at the opposite end, so as to present a kind of wedging resistance to the movement of either the tube or the thimble. l esteem my arrangement of the out portion far prefer able on aeeount ofthe direetness and completeness ofits effect. The tube or thimble, or both, may be removed aga-in after pressing in the bent portion b, so that it shall be restored to or alittle within its original position. Thetapering form ofthe holes in the tube-sheet and the corresponding form of the thimbles involve a very important advantage in the capacity for adapt-ing the wood tothe tube-sheet and making a tight Contact, even if the parts, from shrinkage or other cause, differ a little in size. My tapering thimble may be driven in a little further if small, or left to project a little further if large; and in either ease it will make a perfectly tight job on being driven in with alittle force. If the cylindrical hole in the thim ble C be of so large size as to lit very easily upon the tube B, the material will be drawn inward when the thinible is forced into the ta perinhole, and by this diminution of its diameter will form a tight iit on the tube, either with or Without the addition of moisture. Where my invention is employed only at one end of a tube the other end may be fitted tightly, and,

if desired, very permanently by any ordinary means. Itis not essential to success with any ordinary form of condenser or analogous vessel that the tube shall be free to move endwise at both ends.

I claim as my invention- 1. The tapering thimbles G, arranged, as represented, in correspondingly tapered holes made through the tube-sheet A, so as to make a tight nt around the tube B and provide for variations in the sizes of the parts, as herein specified.

2. The arrangement of the eut and bent portion b of the metal of the tube so that its out end shall abut against the thimble C to serve directly to prevent the end movement of the tube or thimble, as speeied.

3. The entire tubefa-stening, having a tapering thimble fitted in a tapering hole extending through the tube-sheet, and retained by an abutting portion, b, of the metal of the tube, all constructed and arranged forjoint operation, as and for the purposes herein specified.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my name in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

Vitnesses: GEO. H. REYNOLDS.

THOMAS D. Srnrson, C. C. LIvINGs. 

